Failing Grades? Pakistan's Education System Under Scrutiny as Literacy Crisis Deepens

What were you doing when you were 9? Studying probably as anyone at that age should be.?

Not Rizwan though. He dreamt of it, but his dreams were replaced by his need to support his family. To him education is a luxury, as opposed to what it is as per the constitution of Pakistan; a fundamental right.?

Rizwan’s story is not an anomaly, it is a reality for 88 million people in Pakistan. Those who are systemically devoid of their right to an education and therefore a quality life.?

A Closer Look at Primary Education Investment Amidst Literacy Concerns

Pakistan's recently unveiled budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 has sparked discussions and debates across the nation. While various sectors have received attention, the allocation for primary/school education warrants a closer look, particularly in light of the country's ongoing struggles with literacy rates. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023, the overall literacy rate in Pakistan stands at a mere 58%. This means that a staggering 42% of the population, or roughly 88 million people, are unable to read or write. The gender disparity is even more concerning, with a literacy rate of 72.5% for males and a significantly lower rate of 51.8% for females. This translates to a literacy gap of over 20 percentage points between men and women. With a significant portion of the population still unable to read or write, the question arises: is Pakistan truly investing in its future by adequately funding primary education??

Alarming Statistics and Regional Comparisons

• Out-of-School Children: Pakistan's staggering 2.6 million out-of-school children aged 5 to 16 stand in stark contrast to India and Bangladesh, where only 1% of children in this age group are not enrolled. This highlights a significant access issue in Pakistan that must be addressed urgently.
• Literacy Rates: While Pakistan's official literacy rate is 58%, it's crucial to note that this is based on a lower standard than the global average. When compared to regional neighbors like Sri Lanka (92%), India (76%) and Bangladesh (76%), Pakistan's literacy rate falls significantly short.
• Gender Disparity: The gender gap in literacy is particularly concerning, with only 51% of women literate compared to 73% of men. This disparity is wider than in neighboring countries like India (where female literacy is 65.46%) and Bangladesh (where it's 71.19%), further emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to promote girls' education in Pakistan. This disparity perpetuates inequality and hinders overall development.
• Teacher-Student Ratio: The average teacher-to-student ratio in Pakistani primary schools is 1:49, far exceeding that of India (1:26) and Sri Lanka (1:22). This overcrowded classroom environment limits teachers' ability to provide individualized attention, feedback, and support, hindering each student's learning potential. Best practices in education, exemplified by countries like Norway with a 1:10 ratio, emphasize the importance of smaller class sizes to foster personalized learning and cater to the diverse needs of students.

Economic Impact and GDP Spending

Pakistan has allocated 1.7% of its GDP to education for the longest (1997-2021) which has recently been raised to 1.9%, which is comparable to Bangladesh (2.1%) and Sri Lanka (1.2%). However, these countries have significantly higher literacy rates and better educational outcomes. This suggests that Pakistan's spending is not being effectively utilized. A deeper analysis reveals that a significant portion of the education budget goes towards teacher salaries and administrative costs, leaving little for the development and improvement of educational infrastructure and resources.

Furthermore, when considering the per capita spending on education, after accounting for an estimated 45% of children enrolled in private schools, the figures for Sindh (67,000 rupees), Balochistan (74,000 rupees), Punjab (46,000 rupees), and KP (45,000 rupees) might appear sufficient. However, the effectiveness of this spending is questionable.

A deeper analysis reveals that approximately 85% of the education budget is allocated to teacher salaries, with annual adjustments for inflation. This leaves a meager 5-6% for administration and only 8-10% for development, which includes improving infrastructure, access, quality of education, and innovative programs. This allocation raises concerns about whether adequate resources are being directed towards essential areas like improving educational infrastructure, providing learning materials, and enhancing teacher training programs.

Comparing these figures to the annual expense of educating a child in a good-quality school (40,800 rupees) further underscores the potential inadequacy of public school funding. While per capita spending might seem sufficient in some provinces, the allocation of funds raises questions about whether this money is being efficiently and effectively used to provide a comprehensive and high-quality education for all children.

Quality of Primary Education in Pakistan: A Dire Situation

Enrollment Challenges

In Pakistan, the primary school (grades 1-5) enrollment rate is significantly lower than in neighboring countries. For every 100 children who should be attending primary school, only 64 are enrolled. This starkly contrasts with India and Bangladesh, where 99 out of 100 children are enrolled (World Bank, 2021). This means that 36% of Pakistani children are missing out on the crucial foundation that primary education provides.

Teacher-Student Ratio and Attention

The quality of education in Pakistan is further compromised by a high teacher-to-student ratio. This imbalance hinders personalized instruction and limits teachers' ability to cater to the diverse learning needs of their students. To address this, Pakistan must invest in recruiting and training more qualified teachers, particularly in underserved areas. Additionally, innovative approaches such as utilizing technology for personalized learning and implementing smaller class sizes can help ensure that each student receives the attention they need to thrive.

By focusing on providing adequate teacher-student ratios, Pakistan can create a learning environment where students receive individualized support, feedback, and guidance, ultimately improving their educational outcomes and future prospects.

Completion Rates and Learning Outcomes

The challenges continue beyond enrollment. Pakistan's primary school completion rate is a mere 55% (World Bank, 2021), meaning that only about half of the children who enroll actually complete the fifth grade. This is significantly lower than India's 85% and Bangladesh's 75% completion rates. Even among those who complete primary school, learning outcomes are dismal. Only 14% of fifth-graders can perform a simple two-digit subtraction, a basic indicator of mathematical proficiency.

A Call for Urgent Corrective Action

These statistics, drawn from reputable sources such as the World Bank and ASER Pakistan, paint a bleak picture of the quality of primary education in Pakistan. The low enrollment rates, high teacher-to-student ratios, poor completion rates, and dismal learning outcomes all point to a system in crisis. Urgent action is needed to address these issues, starting with increasing enrollment, improving teacher training and support, and focusing on developing a curriculum that prioritizes foundational skills and knowledge.

The current education crisis demands a unified response from the government, parents, and teachers. The government must prioritize primary education by increasing and optimizing its budget allocation, improving infrastructure, and ensuring access for all children. Parents must be actively involved in their children's education, ensuring regular attendance and providing a supportive learning environment at home. Teachers must be well-trained, motivated, and empowered to deliver quality education.

Furthermore, it is imperative to address the gender disparity in education. Ensuring that girls have equal access to education is not only a matter of fundamental rights but also crucial for economic development. Empowering women through education has a ripple effect on families, communities, and the nation as a whole.

The current state of primary education in Pakistan is a wake-up call. The numbers don't lie, and they paint a grim picture of a system that is failing its children. The consequences of inaction are severe and far-reaching, impacting individuals, communities, and the nation's economic potential.

The time for complacency is over. Pakistan must invest in its children, prioritize primary education, and build a future where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to society. The challenges are significant, but the rewards of a well-educated population are immeasurable. The path to a brighter future for Pakistan begins with empowering its youngest generation through quality primary education.

References:

• Pakistan Economic Survey 2023
• UNESCO Institute for Statistics
• World Bank Group
• The Citizens Foundation (TCF)